Ice-producing mechanism



Dec. 5, 1944. R. M. STORER ICE-PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed July 2 2, '19415 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- v A can kw M. s 70%??? Dec. 5, 1944. STQRERICE-PRODUCING MECHANISM Fild July 22, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill];

I NV ENTOR. T PE F 9/ (HA/P0 M- WW I Dec. 5, 1944.

R. M. STORER 2,364,559 ICE-PRODUCING MECHANISM,

Filed July 22, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 CAM' OPERATE 0 SWITCH 60 AUTOMATICsw/rcv/ z osea s-y PREEZ/AG INVENTOR.

R/CHA/Pl? M. STORE/i Dec. 5, 1944. R. M. STORER ICE-PRODUCING MECHANISMFiled July 22, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 5, 1944. R STORER 2,364,559

ICE-PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed July 22, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 envy/1R0 M.87056:?

Patented Dec. 5, 1944 2,364,559 ICE-ERODUCKNG MElCSIl i Richard M.Storer, Denver, Colo. Application July 22, 19M, Serial No. 403,52d (on.62-105) 28 Clas.

This invention relates to improvements in mechanical refrigeration andmore particularly to improved mechanism for producing and barvestingblocks of ice.

As is now well known, mechanical refrigerators for homes, restaurants,hotels and the like are ordinarily provided with a plurality of trays inwhich are positioned relatively movable grids whereby individual blocksof frozen matter may be produced by pouring the unfrozen liquid into thetrays and positioning said trays thus filled adjacent the freezing,units of such mechanical refrigerators.

Under some circumstances, the demand for blocks of ice may be such thatthe contents of all of the trays in a given refrigerator may quickly beexhausted resulting in considerable inconvenience because a time periodof some length is required before the contents of refilled trays can befrozen.

Blocks of ice so formed in trays provided with grids may under somecircumstances, be difficult to harvest since theyhave a tendency toadhere to the trays and the grids. This is true in spite of the factthat various types of ice tray and grid assemblies are provided withdifferent kinds of mechanisms for releasing the ice cubes therefrom.Nevertheless; some time and effort is ordinarily required to harvest theblocks of ice. In some types of freezing trays, the removal of iceblocksis quite difficult.

Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to provide acontinuous freezing and storage mechanism for mechanical refrigeratorswhereby blocks of ice will continuously be produced and stored forfuture use, thus providing an unusually ample stored supply of suchblocks of ice.

Another object is to provide ice block forming mechanism for mechanicalrefrigerators which will automatically discharge the blocks of ice afterfreezing, from the tray in which they are frozen into a suitable storagereceptacle from which they readily can be removed when wanted since theywill not adhere to the storage receptacle nor to each other after theyhave been frozen.

In addition to the above general objects, certain other advantageousdetails having to do with convenience of installation and dependabilityof operation will become manifest as this description proceeds.

In the drawings wherein like parts are similarly designated,

Figure 1 represents a front elevation, partially in section, ofmechanism embodying the present inventive concept in its operativeposition with reference to a freezing compartment of a typicalmechanical refrigerator;

Figure 2 is a plan view partially in section, of mechanism similar tothat illustrated in Figure 1 as it would appear apart from therefrigerator in which it is normally used;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 3-3 ofFigure 2 and drawn on a somewhat larger scale;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line d-t of Figure 3and drawn on a somewhat larger scale; a

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along thelines 5-5 of Figures 1 and 2 and drawn on a larger scale;

Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary details of certain portions of themechanism illustrated in Figure 2 and drawn on a larger scale;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuitsincorporated in the mechanisms illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional illustration .of a modified,hand-operated form of the present inventive concept;

Figure 10 is a front end elevation of the mechanism illustrated inFigure 9;

Figure 11 is a sectional illustration of a freezing tray that isprovided with means for circulating refrigerant in close contacttherewith, and is therefore particularly well adapted for use with thepresent invention; and

Figure 121s a fragmentary illustration, partially in section, of amodified liquid reservoir that is well suited for use with thisinventive concept.

In order to disclose an operative reduction to practice of the presentinventive concept, the accompanying drawings will be described in someparticularity as a typical example.

First referring to Figure 1, reference character l5 denotes the freezingcompartment of a typical mechanical refrigerator which is provided withpassages for the refrigerant on both sides and across the bottom, aswell as along the underside of a shelf 96. Two ordinary ice trays of aconventional type are indicated by reference character ii and arepositioned upon the shelf 56.

The mechanism that embodies the present improvement is built of a sizeand shape to be positioned partly within the freezing compartment 05below the shelf l6, and partly outside of the compartment butimmediately adjacent thereto and supported thereby.

Reference character 98 denotes a reservoir for liquid to be frozen,usually water. It is provided with an angularly movable filling spout l9which may be rotated to an outwardly and upwardly extending position forconvenience in pouring liquid to be frozen into the reservoir l8. Whennot in use, the filler l9 may be rotated out of the way so that the doorof the refrigerator may be closed in the usual way. The reservoir I8 issupported on the freezing compartment l5 by means of hooks la, and ispreferably insulated from said compartment by suitable material such ascork tSb. I

A sight water glass may conveniently be provided on the reservoir it asindicated at 2%.

Immediately below the reservoir I8 is a metering tank 2% that is inconductive communication with said reservoir, subject to the position ofvalve mechanism illustrated in enlarged detail in Figure 5.

The opening and closing of said valve mechanism is automaticallycontrolled by means of a lever arm 22 connected with an actuating wire23 me housing 24%. Wire 23 is connected at its opposite end to a levercam. follower 25 that is pivoted at 26 on an end plate 21 in a positionto be moved by the inner portion 28 of a cam element 29 that isjournalled for rotation upon the general assembly.

A trough or fiume 30 is in conductive communication with the meteringtank 2|, subject to the position of the valve mechanism illustrated inFigure 5, and leads through the end plate 21 to a position of dischargeimmediately above a freezing tray 3|, Figure 2, that is divided intoindividual ice-forming cells 32 by means of cross grid walls 33.

The freezing tray 3| is further provided with a laterally movablelongitudinal grid member 34 which discharges the ice blocks after theyare completely frozen, over the respective edges of the freezing tray 3|whence they fall into a drawer-like storage compartment 35, being guidedin such discharge movement by a curved bafile plate positioned above thefreezing tray and indicated at 36.

The lateral movements of the central longitudinal grid member 34 todischarge finished blocks of ice over the edges of the freezing tray 3!are effected by means of connecting rods 31 and 38 which are pivotallyattached to sliding guides 34a that are an integral part-of thelongitudinal grid member 34. Connecting rod 38 is driven by the camelement 29 which is carried upon a shaft 39, and connecting rod 31 isdriven by a spur gear 40 which is also mounted on the shaft 33.

The spur gear 40 is driven by motor 4| through the intermediary ofsuitable speed-reducing mechanism 42 which is subject to considerablevariation according to circumstances. A cover 42a illustratedfragmentarily in Figure 2, may advantageously be provided for the motor4| and its associated power-transmitting mechanism.

Mounted above the freezing tray 3| is a rod 43 which is capable oflimited rotary movement against the torque of a coil spring 44. Carriedupon the rod 43 is a switch 45, the details of which are wellillustrated in Figure 4. This switch 45 is positioned immediately aboveone of the freezing cells 32 so that the natural expansion of theforming ice therebelow will actuate it as will be hereinafter more fullyexplained.

Referring to Figure 5, the valve mechanism hereinbefore mentioned willbe explained in some particularity. A double-acting valve element 46 ispositioned in the metering tank 2| to alternately govern the flow ofliquid through a port 41 connecting the storage reservoir it with saidmetering tank 2|, and a port 48 which connects the lower portion of themetering tank H with the trough or flume 30.

The double-acting valve element t is provided with a stem 49 and isurged upwardly by means of a compression coil spring 50. In its upperposition, the valve element #15 closes the port 41 and opens the portThe pivotal lever arm 22 which is connected with the actuating wire 23is positioned above the end of the valve stem 4% so that when it ispulled downwardly by the wire it will move the valve element 45.downwardly to open port 4.? and close port &8.

Pivotally mounted adjacent the valve stem is a bell crank 5| having onits downwardly extending leg a notch 52 positioned to cooperate undercertain circumstances, with a disk 53 secured to the valve stem 49, tohold the valve element 46 in its lowermost position. On the horizontallyextending leg of the bell crank 5| are a pair of spaced bosses 56between which is positioned an arm 55 which carries a heat 55 shown inFigure 2.

The arm 55 is mounted for limited angular movement on the pivot 51 whichalso carries a bell crank 5|. .It is manifest that movement of the arm55 due to variation in the liquid level in the storage reservoir I8which determines the position of the float 56, will effect, the angularposition of the bell crank 5| as will be hereinafter more fullyexplained.

Referring briefly to Figures 6, '1 and 2, it will be noted that the endsof the cross grid members 33 are each provided with a notch 58, andadjacent each notch 58 the grid walls 33 are reduced to a knife-likeedge 59. These notches 58 are for the purpose of spilling liquid beingintroduced into the freezing tray ill by means of the trough or flume30, from one cell 32 to the next until the entire tray 3| is filled. Theknife-like edge 55 facilitates the separation of the individual blocksof ice which may be joined with a fragile neck at each notch 58, andprevents adherence of the ice to the tray structure at the notches. Eachcross wall 33 tapers upwardly and outwardly to facili tate ejection ofthe ice blocks.

A switch 60, Figures 1 and 8, is positioned to be actuated by the camelement 29, and controls the power input to the motor 4| through asuitable circuit ISO in which both the motor and said switch 60 areconnected. When the notch Si in said cam element is engaged by an arm ofthe switch 60, said switch is in its open position. When the cam element29 is rotating and the notch 6| is not engaged by an arm of the switch60, said switch is closed.

The switch 45, Figures 2, 3 and 8, is also connected across circuit I60and is normally open but is closed by expansion of the liquid beingfrozen which actuates a plunger 45a raising it.

The switch 45 is carried upon the rod 43 and is adjustable up and downwithin reasonable limits by means of a screw 62 positioned in a carrier63 on the rod 43, in which the body of the switch 45 is mounted.

Another switch'element 65, Figures 3 and 8, may, if desired, bepositioned beneath the ice storage receptacle 35 and is connected inseries in one leg of the circuit I60. The ice storage receptacle 35bears upon an edge of a cut-out in plate 21 as indicateddiagrammatically at 66,

Figure 8. The other end of the storage receptacle 35 bears upon aplunger 61 which will open the normally closed switch 65 when the weightof stored ice in receptacle 35 builds up to a predetermined amount. asillustrated in Figure 8, the opening of switch 65 by the weight ofthestored ice will stop the operation of the entire mechanism until suchtime as some of the ice is removed from receptacle 35.

Operation Briefly stated, the operation of the device herein disclosedis as follows:

Water or any other liquid to be frozen is introduced into storage tankl3 until said tank is substantially filled. Initial manual closing ofthe switch 60 starts the motor 4| which will then run until the camelement 29 has made one complete revolution. As the cam element 29 turnsin the direction indicated by the arrow, the cam follower will be movedoutwardly to pull the wire 23 which in turn will pull the lever 22downwardly to move the valve element 46 to its lowermost position,opening port 41 and closing port 48 so that the metering tank 2| will befilled with liquid from the storage reservoir l8.

A vent 68 permits air to escape from the metering tank 2| as liquidflows thereinto, and the metering tank holds exactly the amount ofliquid that is required to fill the freezing tray 3| to its optimumcapacity. v

When the cam element 29-has made one complete revolution, the switch 63will automatically open to stop the motor 4| and the cam follower 25will move inwardly, permitting the valve element 46 to raise to closeport 41 and open port 48 in the bottom of the metering tank 2|, thuspermitting the measured amount of liquid in the metering tank 2| to flowby gravity through the trough or flume 30 to fill the freezing cells 32in the tray 3i.

Since the freezing tray 3| is normally positioned within the freezingcompartment l5, cooling and eventual solidification of the liquid thusintroduced into the tray 3| will occur.v As the freezing of the liquidis completed, the switch 45 will be closed to start the motor 4| onoperating cycle.

As the motor 4| drives the gear and the shaft 39, the connecting rods 31and 38 will be moved, which in turn will move the central 1ongiiudinalgrid member 34 transversely, first to one side and then to the otherside of the tray 3!. as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3. It willbe understood that the central longitudinal grid member 34 is suitablynotched to receive the transverse grid walls 33 so that it extends welldown in each individual cell 32.

Since the sides of the tray 3| are sloped outwardly as well shown inFigure 3. the bodies of ice formed in the cells 32 will be movedupwardly and outwardly over the edges of the freezing tray 3| and willbe guided by the baffle plate 36 to fall into the drawer-like storagereceptacle 35. The baffle 36 also serves the useful purpose of preventing drippage from falling into the freezing tray 3| during defrosting ofthe freezing compartment I5.

Due to the fact that the automatic switch is carried upon the rod 43which is mounted for limited angular movement. said switch 45 will bemoved angularly upward by the lateral movement of the longitudinal gridmember 34 to avoid a conflict between these two components. As thelongitudinal grid member 34 mwes back to its another normal centralexterior surfaces.

position as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the spring 44 will cause therod 43 and the switch 45 to resume their normal position.

The discharge of the finished blocks of ice from the freezing tray 3|into the storage receptacle 35 is completed in one revolution of thegear 43, the shaft 39 and the cam element 29, during which phase of theoperating cycle the valve element 46 is in its downward position,permitting the metering tank 2| to refill from the storage reservoir I8.I

As the complete revolution of the cam element 29 is finished, the switch60 is again opened and the port 48 is also opened to reflll by gravitythe freezing tray 3| with the measured amount of liquid from meteringtank 2|.

' Thus is provided a continuously operating mechanism for freezingandstoring blocks of ice and as the weight of the stored'blocks of ice inthe drawer-like receptacle 35 builds up to a predetermined amount, theswitch will be opened to stop the operation of the entire mechanism.

Referring particularly to Figure 5, an added factor of safety isprovided whereby if thewater level in the storage tank I8 is so reducedthat there is not enough water left again to fill the metering tank 2|,then the arm 55 will be moved angularly downward to move notch 52 onbell crank 5| over into engagement with disk 53 on valve stem49 whensaid valve stem is in its lowermost position, thus latching the valveelement 46 in its downward position to close port 43 to prevent asituation wherein less than the full amount of water will be flowed fromthe meter.- ing tank 2| to the freezing tray 3|. Obviously, if less thanthe full amount of liquid to be frozen is introduced into the freezingtray 3|, the automatic functioning of the device would be defeated.

Since the arm 55 operates between the two bosses 54, refilling of thestorage tank l8 will move the bell crank 5| to a position wherein thenotch 52 is out of engagement with the disk 53, thus releasing the valveelement 46 for normal operation. By spacing the bosses 54 well apart, acertain amount of lost movement" is permitted the arm 55 so that itsefiect upon the bell crank 5| is not immediate but rather is delayed toinsure proper refilling of the metering tank before release.

To accelerate the freezing in the tray 3| said tray may itself, ifdesired, be provided with coils or passages as an integral part of itsconstruction, for circulation of the refrigerant along its This form offreezing tray is illustrated in Figure 11.

Since the storage receptacle 35 is constructed like a drawer, it may bewithdrawn at will and the ice bodies stored therein will be free andseparate from each other and from their container so that they may belifted therefrom as readily as any other object of similar size.

The drawer-like storage receptacle 35 may be of a size to store muchmore ice in the form of individual blocks than would ordinarily be thecapacity of a mechanical refrigerator using only the standard equipmentof individual freezing trays. In the present example, two trays Figure1, of the conventional type may remain in their ordinary use.

Next referring to the'hand-operated form of the present inventionillustrated in Figures 9 and 10, it will be seen that the operatingprinciple is quite similar to that embodied in the motor-drivenapparatus.

The freezing tray 8| and the drawer storage receptacle 88 areessentially the same as heretofore described.

Instead of the motor, a hand crank 10 is mounted for rotation on thefront plate 21 and carries a pinion 'II that meshes with a spur gear I2which is integral with the cam I8 at the back of said gear and a cam 14at the front thereof.

A cam follower I5 is actuated by the cam 13 and is entirely comparableto the cam follower 25 of Figure 1. Cam follower I5 is connected withvalve actuating wire 23 and performs exactly the same functions asheretofore set forth.

Connecting rods 18 and 11 are entirely comparable to and function likeconnecting rods 31 and 38 already described, to move the centrallongitudinal grid member 34 laterally to move the ice bodies from' thefreezing tray 8|.

A particular feature of the hand-operated form of the invention is alatch element 18 which engages in a notch 18 in the cam 14. When thelatch I8 so engages the notch 18, the hand crank 10 cannot be turned.

A plate 80 is carried upon a rod 8| that is mounted for limited angularmovement. The latch element 18 is also carried on the rod 8| so that theangular position of the rod 8| governs the angular position of saidlatch.

The plate 80 is positioned immediately above the normal liquid level inthe freezing tray 3| so that when the liquid expands as a result of thefreezing thereof, upward pressure will be applied against the plate 80which in turn will rotate the rod 8| to lift the latch 18 out of thenotch 18, in which position the hand crank I0 may be rotated to performa complete cycle of ejecting ice from the freezing tray 8| and operatingthe valve element 48 and its associated mechanism.

An arm 82 carried upon the rod 8| serves to position the plate 80 withreference to the surface of the liquid.- Astop 88 limits the upwardangular movement of the latch I8.

When the central longitudinal grid component 34 moves toward the plate80, said plate 80 can rotate upwardly with reference to its supportingrod 8|, such movement being permitted by a spring I88 connecting the rod8| with the plate 80. This arrangement permits the central longitudinalgrid component 84 to perform its normal function.

The automatic latching feature of this form of the invention is ofimportance because it permits the manual operation of the device onlywhen such operation is desirable; in other words, the crank I0 can beturned only after the freezing of the ice bodies has been completed.

It is manifest that the crank 10 should not be turned prior to thecompletion of the freezing process since this would disarrange thenormal cyclic function of the device. This proposition resolves itselfinto the situation that whenever the crank 10 can be turned it is properto turn it, but it cannot be turned'when it is improper to turn it. Thehand crank I0 may conveniently be of hinged construction as illustratedat 10a, so that the front door of the refrigerator may be closed.

Figure 11 illustrates a form of freezing tray that is well adapted foruse with the present inventive concept, wherein the tray is made of aninner ply of material 90, preferably heat-conducting metal, and an outerply 8| in which are formed a plurality of conductive passages 92 throughwhich may be circulated the refrigerant for quick freezing of the liquidin the tray.

Figure 12 illustrates a modified form of the present inventive conceptwherein the reservoir I8 is provided with a threaded connection 88 intowhich is screwed a standpipe 84 having a port or valve seat 98 which iscontrolled by a valve 88 that is connected by means of a stem 88a withbosses 91 positioned loosely in apertures 88a in a bifurcated arm 88pivoted at 88 to a head I00 carried upon the standpipe. Apertures I8Iare provided in the standpipe 84 above the valve 88 and the threadedconnection 88 is conductively connected with any convenient source ofwater under pressure such as a public water system, through theintermediary of a pipe I82.

An arm I08 carries an actuating float I84 and is securely threaded intothe bifurcated arm 88 whereby the opening and the closing of the valve98 may be controlled by the position of the float I04, which in turn ismoved up and down by the level of liquid in the reservoir I8.

It is manifest that the connection 98 may be provided on all reservoirsI8 if desired, and it may be closed by a simple threaded plug whenmanual filling of the reservoir I8 is preferred as hereinbeforedescribed. If at any time it is preferred to connect th reservoir I8with a source of water under pressure such as a public water system,then the plug may be removed from the connection 98 and the partsillustrated in Figure 12 and hereinbefore described in someparticularity, may readily be installed thus eliminating the necessityof manual filling of the reservoir II.

It is obvious that the mechanism illustrated in Figure 12 willautomatically maintain a predetermined liquid level in the reservoir I8within reasonable limits since the valve 88 will open the port 05 topermit water to flow into the reservoir I8 when the liquid level in saidreservoir permits the float I04 to fall. Conversely, when the liquidlevel in reservoir I8 rises to its optimum height, then the float I04will cause the valve 98 to close the port 95 shutting off the flow ofwater from pipe I02 until the float shall again fall.

It is preferred to install the mechanism illustrated in Figure 12 at theend of reservoir I8 that is opposite the mechanism illustrated in Figure5, for purposes of convenience. The operation of the device whenprovided with the apparatus illustrated in Figure 12, is, of course, thesame as heretofore set forth except that the water supply isautomatically provided for the reservoir I8.

Since the float 58, Figure 2, and its associated mechanism, bestillustrated in Figure 5, are primarily for the purpose of safeguardingthe automatic operation of the device against neglect in manual fillingof the reservoir I8, said float 88,

arm 55, and valve latching mechanism 5 |-52-84 may be omitted when theautomatic mechanism of Figure 12 is used. However, the float 88 and itsassociated latching mechanism need not necessarily be omitted since byproper arrangement of the floats 58 of Figure 2 and I84 of Figure 12,they can both operate in the reservoir I 8 without conflict.

More briefly summed up, the resent invention includes means for holdingliquid to be frozen, means for introducing thereinto an optimum amountof liquid to be frown, means for removing frozen matter from thecontainer in which it is frozen, and means actuated by the expansion ofthe liquid being frozen for governing the operation of the device.

The means actuated by the expansion oi the liquid being frozen, in themotor-driven form, starts the mechanism on one complete cycle ofoperation. The means actuated by the expansion of the liquid beingfrozen, in the manually operable form, may well be said to govern theoperation of the device since the mechanism cannot be manually operateduntil the governing factor is released. 1

Therefore, in the following claims. it is believed the term govem" asapplied to the means actuated by expansion of the material being frozenis generic to all forms of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure bvLetters Patent is:

1. Apparatus of the character disclosed com prising a tray for liquid tobe frozen, means for introducing a predetermined amount of liquid intothe tray, means within the tray for removing ice therefrom, and meansactuated by expansion of the liquid being frozen in the tray for.initiating operation of said liquid-introducing means and saidice-removal means.

2. Apparatus of the character disclosed comprising a tray for liquid tobe frozen, means for introducing a predetermined amount of liquid intothe tray, from the tray, means actuated by expansion of the liquid beingfrozen in the tray for governing operation of said liquid-introducingmeans and said ice-forcing means, and means for receiving and storingice so removed from said tray.

3. Apparatus of the character disclosed comprising a tray for liquid tobe frozen, means for introducing a predetermined amount of liquid intothe tray, moving ice from the tray, and means actuated by expansion ofthe liquid being frozen in the tray for governing operation of saidliquid-introducing means and said ice-removalmeans.

4. Apparatus of the character disclosed comprising a tray for liquid tobe frozen, means associated with said tray from, a reservoir for liquid,a metering tank in conductive communication with said reservoir,conductive means connecting said metering tank with said tray, adouble-acting valve element movable to one position liquid from thereservoir to the metering tank andmovable to a second positionpermitting the flow of liquid from the metering tank to the tray, andmeans actuated by expansion of liquid being frozen in the tray forinitiating operation of said valve element and said ice-removing means,5 Apparatus of the character disclosed comprising a tray for liquid tobe frozen, means associated with said tray for removing ice therefrom, areservoir for liquid, means for automatically maintaining a.predetermined amount of liquid in said reservoir, a metering tank inconductive communication with said reservoir, conductive meansconnecting said metering tank with said tray, a double-acting valveelement movable to one position permitting the flow of liquid from thereservoir to the metering tank and movable to a second positionpermitting the flow of liquid from the tray, and means actuated byexpansion of liquid being frozen in the tray for. initiating theoperation of said valve element and said ice-removing means.

6. Apparatus of the character disclosed compermitting the how of Iprising a tray for liquid to be frozen, means associated with said trayfor removing ice therefrom.

I a reservoir for liquid, a metering tank in conmechanical means forforcing ice metering tank to themanually operable means for reforremoving ice therewith said tray,

frozen in the ductive communication with said reservoir, conductivemeans connecting said metering tank a double-acting valve elementposition permitting the flow of liquidfrom the reservoir to the meteringtank and movable to a second position permitting the flow of liquid fromthe metering tank to the tray, means actuated by. expansion of liquidbeing frozen in the tray for initiating the operation of said valveelement and said ice-removing means, and means operable by liquid insaid reservoir for holding said valve element against operation when thelevel of said liquid falls to a predetermined point.

7. Apparatus of prising a tray for sociated with said from, meansfor-receiving and storing ice so removed, a reservoir for liquid, ametering tank in movable to one the character disclosed comliquid to befrozen, means asconductive communication with said reservoir,

conductive means connecting said metering tank with said tray, adouble-acting valve element movable to one position permitting the flowof liquid from the reservoir to the metering tank and movable to asecond position permitting the flow of liquid from the metering tank tothe tray, means actuated by expansion of liquid being tray forinitiating the operation of said valve element and said ice-removingmeans, and means for stopping the entire operation of the apparatusactuated by a predetermined amount of stored ice.

8. Apparatus of the character. disclosed comprising a tray divided bytransverse grid walls into freezing cells for liquid to be frozen andhaving outwardly inclined sides, a longitudinal grid memberpositionedfor lateral movement in said tray and notched to receivesaidcross walls, a reservoir for liquid positioned adjaceht saidfreezing tray, a metering tank in conductive communication with saidreservoir, means for conducting liquid freezing tray, a double-actingvalve element movableto one position permitting the flow of liquid fromthe reservoir to the metering tank and movable to a second positionpermitting the flow of liquid from the metering tank to the freezingtray in its other position, an electric motor, a conductive circuitinclusive of a source of electrical energy for said motor, amotor-stopping switch in and transmission means connecting said motorwith the longitudinal grid member for moving tray for removing icethere-- from said metering tank to said -relative to the other wallsacross a the compartments and across one of said freezing tray in itsother position, a manually rotatable cam element, a cam followerassociated with said cam element and connected to operate said valveelement, means connecting said cam element with the longitudinal gridmember for moving the same laterally to push ice out of the tray, meansfor latching said cam element against'rotation, and means operable bythe expansion of liquid being frozen in said tray for releasing saidlatching element.

10. In apparatus of the character disclosed inclusive of a tray forliquid to be frozen, means for filling the tray with liquid and meansfor removing ice from the tray, the improvement which comprises meanspositioned above and adjacent said liquid and actuated by the upwardexpansion of the liquid as it freezes for initiating a cycle of removalof frozen matter from the tray in which it is frozen and the refillingof said tray with liquid.

11. A device of the character described comprising a tray, and aplural-cell mold in the tray formed by a plurality of walls positionedat substantially right angles one to another, one of said walls beingmounted for oscillatory movement substantial portion of the bottomsurface of the tray, and means positioned and arranged to impart saidoscillatory movement to the movable wall while the mold is in the tray.

12. A deviceof the character described comprising a tray, and a mold inthe tray formed by a longitudinal wall and a plurality of transversewalls disposed at intervals along the length thereof, said longitudinalwall being mounted for movement lengthwise of said transverse walls substantially across the mold, and means positioned and arranged to impartsaid lateral movement to the longitudinal wall while the mold is in thetray.

13. A device of the character described comprising a tray, and a mold inthe tray formed by a longitudinal wall and a plurality of transversewalls disposed at intervals along the length thereof, said longitudinalwall being mounted for transverse straight line movement along thetransverse walls, and means positioned and arranged to impart saidmovement to the longitudinal wall while the mold is in the tray.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising a liquid congealingtray having inclined sides and having its interior divided into two rowsof compartments extending lengthwise of said inclined walls, means forintroducing a predetermined amount of liquid into the tray, means forpushing congealed matter from one row of the compartments and across oneof said sides in a continuous action, and means for automaticallyoperating said liquid-introducing means and said ice-pushing means.

15. Apparatus of the character described comprising a liquid congealingtray having inclined sides and having its interior divided into two rowsof compartments extending lengthwise of said inclined walls, means forintroducing a predetermined amount of liquid into the tray, means forremoving congealed matter from one row of and then removing congealedmatter from another row of the compartments and across another inclinedside of the tray, and means for automatically operating saidliquid-introducing means and saidice-removal means.

16. Apparatus of the character described, comsides portion of the areaof the tray, means positioned and arranged to impart said oscillatorymovement to the movable wall, and mechanism for stopping said means whenthe movable wall is at a predetermined position in its oscillatorycycle.

17. In a device of the character described, a

pan, and a grid in the pan dividing its interior into a plurality ofice-forming molds, said grid including a plurality of transverse membersand a lengthwise member mounted for movement along the transversemembers through substantially the entire width of the pan, and means forso moving the lengthwise member.

18. In a device of the character described, apanandagridinthepandividingitsinterior into a plurality of ice-formingmolds, said grid including a plurality of rigid transverse members and alengthwise member slotted for straddling said transverse members, saidlengthwise member being mounted for linear movement between thetransverse members in a direction transverse to its length, and meansfor so moving the lengthwise member.

19. In a device of the'character described, a pan having an inclinedwall, and a mold-forming member comprising three upright walls supportedin the pan, one of said walls being constructed and arranged forstraight line movement between the other two walls a distance sufllcientto push matter frozen in said mold up and over said inclined wall, andmeans for so moving the movable wall.

20. Apparatus of the character described, wm-

prising a tray for liquid to be frozen, means for introducing a,predetermined amount of liquid into the tray, mechanical means forforcing ice from the tray, and means actuated by expansion of the liquidbeing frozen in the tray for governing operation of saidliquid-introducing means and said ice-forcing means.

21. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a plural-cell moldadapted to contain a ma :rial to be frozen and including a movablelengthwise wall and a plurality of transverse walls, means for freezingthe contents of said mold, means including the movable lengthwise wallfor loosening and ejecting the frozen contents from said mold, and meansresponsive to the expansive action of frozen matter in the mold forinitiigting the ejection of frozen matter from the mo 22. Apparatus ofthe character described, comprising a plural-cell mold adapted tocontain a material to be frozen and including a movable lengthwise walland a plurality of transverse walls, means for freezing the contents ofsaid mold, means including the movable lengthwise wall for loosening andelecting the frozen contents from said mold, and means for automaticallycausing successive freezing and ejecting of the contents of said mold.

23. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a tray for liquidto be frozen, means for introducing a predetermined amount of liquidinto the tray, manually-operable means'for forcing ice from the tray,and means actuated by expansion of the liquid being frozen in the trayfor indicating when congealing within the mold is prising a tray forliquid to be frozen, means for introducing a predetermined amount ofliquid into the tray, manually-operable means for forcing ice from thetray, and indicating means associated with said manually-operable meansand actuated by expansion of the liquid being frozen in the tray forindicatingwhen congealing Within the mold is complete.

25. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a plural-cell moldadapted to contain a material to be frozen and including a movablelengthwise wall and a plurality of transverse walls, means for freezingthe contents of said mold, means associated with at least one of saidwalls for ejecting the frozen contents of the mold, supply means forreplenishing the contents of said mold, and means associated with andcontrolling the operation of said supply means and said ejecting meansfor preventing the operation of said supply means prior to the operationof said ejecting means in each cycle of operation.

26. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a plural-cell moldadapted to contain a material to be frozen and including a movablelengthwise wall and a plurality of transverse walls, means for freezingthe contents of said mold, means associated with at least .one of saidwalls for loosening and ejecting the frozen -contents of the mold,supply means for replenishing the contents of said mold, meansresponsive to the freezing action in the mold for initiating the saidloosening and ejecting actions, and means including said last-mentionedmeans for automatically causing successive freezing, ejecting andfilling actions in the mold in each cycle o operation.

27. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a plural-cell moldadapted to contain a material to be frozen and including a movablelengthwise wall and a plurality of transverse walls, means for freezingthe contents of said mold, means associated with at least one of saidwalls for ejecting the frozen contents of the mold, supply means forreplenishing the contents of said mold, and control mechanismconstructed and arranged to maintain said ejecting means and said supplymeans inactive until the contents of said mold have congealed to apredetermined degree.

28. Apparatus of the character disclosed, comprising a tray for liquidto be frozen, means associated with the tray for removing ice therefrom,a reservoir for liquid, a metering tank oommunicating with saidreservoir, means for con ducting liquid from said metering tank to saidtray, a valve movable alternately from one position to another toprevent the flow of liquid to said tank, from said reservoir whilepermitting flow from said tanlr to said tray or to prevent flow fromsaid tank to said tray while permitting flow from said reservoir to saidmetering tank, mechanism for operating the first-mentioned means and atthe same time moving the valve from said one position to the secondmentioned position, latching means for holding said mechanism againstoperation, and a device operable by the expansion of ice in said trayfor releasing said latching means to permit operation of said mechanism.

men M. are.

